"We should not be afraid of the friction between Japan and China and the current absence of the crisis-management mechanism. What may haunt us is its breakdowns."

Hideo Tarumi, minister of the Japanese embassy in China

"The China-Japan relationship is one of the key ties between China and major global players, and it has a crucial effect on the neighboring countries in the region."

Yang Bojiang, a professor of Japanese studies at the University of International Relations in Beijing

"The key to managing crises lies in timely informing one's counterpart and being well-informed of the counterpart's intention."

Kyoji Yanagisawa, former Japanese assistant deputy chief cabinet secretary

"Both China and Japan are responsible for the prosperity of the global economy, and expanding common interests may be a major boost to bilateral strategic mutual trust."

Lu Yaodong, director of the department of Japanese diplomacy at the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

(China Daily 08/30/2012 page11)